rhea

rhea

noun \ˈrē-ə\

Definition of RHEA

: either of two South American ratite birds (Rhea americana and Pterocnemia pennata of the family Rheidae) that resemble but are smaller than the African ostrich and that have three toes, a fully feathered head and neck, an undeveloped tail, and pale gray to brownish feathers that droop over the rump and back

Illustration of RHEA

Origin of RHEA

New Latin, genus of birds, probably from Latin Rhea, mother of Zeus, from Greek

First Known Use: 1797

Rhymes with RHEA

Gaea, kea, rya, via